Sound-box.



W. H. MARTIN.

sown Box;

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 3, 1908.

PatentedDec. 8, 1908.

1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM H. MARTIN, or MOBILE, ALABAMA.

sown-Box.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 8', 1908.

Application filed February 3, 1908. Boris-1N0. 414,047.

To all whom it may concern: A

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. MARTIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mobile,'in the county of Mobile and State of Alabama, have invented new and useful Improvements in Sound-Boxes, of. which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to sound reproducing boxes for use in connection with graphophones, gramophones, phonographs or other .tically obliterated,

sound-recording and reproducing machines, and is designed, primarily as an mprovement upon, the form of sound boxes dis- .closed in my application Serial Number 336,473, filed September 27, 1906, and is particularly adapted for use'in connection with graphophones; but it is to be understood that theinvention is adapted for any .purposes for which it is foun and the object thereof-is tolprovide in a applicable,

manner as hereinafter set forth asound box for A grapho hones whereby an improved character 0 sound is produced, and furthermore whereby the sound can be regulated when occasion so re uires, and whereby all scratching of the st us on the disk is prac mum. The invention furtheraims to rovide a sound box for the pur ose referre to and in a manner as hereina ter set forth, which shall be simple in its construction and ar-.

rangement, strong, durable, eificient in its use, attaining an improved. character of. sound, with means for regulating the sound, readily set up with respect to the instrument and comparatively inexpensive to manuthroughout the several views-Figure 1 isa vertical sectional view of a' sound box in accordance with this invention; Fig. 2 is a like eing reduced to a miniperimeter 8 of ametallic diaphragm 9.

view takenat right angles to Fig. 1 Fig. 3 is a bottom plan; Fig. 4 is a detail; Fig;- 5 is a erspec tive view 'showin the 'su ortin i neans for the stylus head? the latte having a stylus bar and stylus attached thereto. Fig. 6'is a side elevation showing a modified formof stylus bar.

Referring to the drawings by reference characters, the body portion of the sound box is formed of two sections, 1, 2, the former being dome-shaped, and the latter being cylindrical. The outer endof the section 1 is .cut away to provide an opening 3 and the inner end of the section-2 has its inner face cut away to provide a shoulder 4 and a flange 5, The latter surrounds the inner end oi the section 1 and abuts against a washer 5, mounted upon a shoulder 6 formed integral with the section 1, and through the shoulder 6 and engaging in the flange 5 extends retaining screws 7 whereby the sections 1, 2 are secured together. Ordinarily the sections 1 and 2 are ressed in together, tightly fitting for small oxes, but for larger instruments.

the security'may be doubled by the employment of the screws 7 if required.

Interposed between-the inner ed e of the section 1 and the shoulder 4 is the t ickenpld T e central portion of the dia hragm 9 is thickened, as at 10, whereby the part of the diaphragm 9 between the portion 10 and the perimeter is thin'and substantially concavo-v convex in contour. The diaphragm 9 is sccured in osition between the sections 1, through t e medium of the tightly fittin of the sections'or the retainin screws 7 when required and by setting u t e diaphragm the manner referred to vastly improves the character of sound produced.

.wl lxtending through the central portion 10,- ch as be n connected thereto is a headed said portion 10 and having'attached thereto the end 12 of a spring coil 13, the coils of the sprin gradually increasing indiameter outward y thatis towards the opening 3 ofthe' section 1. Mounted upon the centralportion 10 of the diaphragm 9 is a block 14- diamondshaped in cross section and which is connected to the screw 1 1 and formed with a vertically extendin opening 15 which constionnected to the block 14 is tutes .a socket. a transversely-extending set screw 16, the inner end thereof projecting into the socket screw 11, the cad thereof abuttingagainst form a seat 17 against which is'mounted a lus head.

metallic diaphragm 18, the latter being secured in position by the holdfastdevices 19,

said devices extending through the diaphragm 1S and engaging in the section 2. The bottom of the section2 is formed with a transversely extending pocket 20, which communicates with a vertically extending opening 21. The function ofthe pocket 20 and opening 21 will be hereinafter referred to. The section 2 is furthermore provided at each terminus of the pocket 20 witha semi-cylindrical socket 22, in which is 'mounted the pins 23 projecting from the section 2 and each constituting a fulcrum for one end of a flexible suspending means 24 for the sty- The said flexible suspending means consists of a narrow strip of resilient metallic material having each end portion bent upwardly at an inclination, as at 25 and through which extends connecting screws 26. These latter engage in the section 2 and are so set up that the ends of the suspending device 24 can be adjustably connected to the section 2. The suspending device 24 is mounted in the pocket 20 and bears against the fulcrums 23 and said suspending device 24, approximately centrally thereof is provided with an opening 27 which registers with the opening 21.

Exter iding through the opening 27 as well as through the opening 21 and projecting into the section 2 is the reduced inner end 28 of a stylus head 29. The reduced inner end 28of the head 29 forms a shoulder 30 which ing device 24. The head 29 is formed with a vertically-extending opening 30*, the'inner portion of which is screw-threaded as at 31 and the head 29 is furthermore provided with a screw-threaded opening 32 which intersects the opening 30. Arranged within the o ening 30 of the head 29 is a cushion- .ing a utment 33 against which engages a stylus 34 positioned in the outer end of the opening 30 Engaging in the screw-threade portion 31 of the opening30 is the screwthreaded end of the stylus bar 36, the latter extending in tlre socket 15 and between the inner ends of the screws 11 and 16. The stylus 34 is secured in the head29 throu h the medium of the pointed end 37 of t e binding screw 38, the said pointed end 37 being. slightly curved so that it does not come in contact with the stylus 34 in a perpendicular manner, but rather to the side edge of the stylus. The object in this is that the engagement between the said pointed-endof the screw with the stylus is gradual and therefore, the tighter the screw when turned in the stylus bar head the more firmly the "stylus is held thus avoiding any and ailmetallic sounds either from the looseness of the stylus o1- fromthe looseness of the screw.

the resilient washer 39 is to hold the screw at 'whatever position it is placed and the function of the metallic washer is to prevent the screw from coming in contact with and wearing the resilient washer. ment of the screw in a manner as set forth, the sound emanatingfrom the box can be raised or lowered to any pitch desired. '1 his is evident owing to the manner in which the pointed end ofthe screw can .be adjusted with respect to its engagement with the stylus.

The stylus bar which is referred'to by the reference character 36 embodies a resilient section 35 and a shouldered section 35*, the shouldered section 35 being formed with a screw-threaded shank 35 and a flattened extension 35. The resilient section of the stylus bar is formed from a flat strip of spring metal and is bent upon itself, as clearly shown in Fig. 1 and with the ends straddling the extension 35, the ends of the extension 35 and extension 35 being secured together by the hold-fast device 35. By such anarrangement a space is formed within the, re-

silient section 35. The resilient section 35 of the stylus bar 36 extends in the socket 15 By the arrangeand is adapted. to be engaged by the screws 11 and 16. The screw-threaded shank of the section 35 engages with the screw-threaded portion 31 of the wall of the opening 30 formed in the head 29. By setting up the resilient section in a manner as described thesaid resilient section extends in the socket '15, the flat inner sides thereof contact with indicated by the reference characters 35 and 35. Otherwise than that as stated the construction shown in Fig. 6 is the same as that shown in Fig. 5.

The stylus bar retains the resilient abutment 33 within the stylus head and the free end of the said stylus bar 36 vibrates becontactscarried y said diaphragm, a-stylus vibratory stylus bar having one end vibrat- -the ends of the body embodying; a doubled resilient section, a

tween the inner ends of the screws 11 and 16. The space in which the inner end of the stylus bar vibrates is regulated by the screw 16.

By setting up the suspending device 24 in I a manner referred to, the head 29 being rigidly'secured to the said device 24, the tension of the bar can be so regulated owing to the adjustability of the screws 26, that a complete elimination of all flatness of sound is had which otherwise would affect the inner end of the stylus bar.

VVhatI claim is l. A sound boxv comprising a vibratory diaphragm .having a thickened perimeter, a thickened central portion, that part of'the dia hragm between the said central portion an perimeter being'relatively thin and substantially concavo convex, the thirr portion of the diaphragm being of. greater length than the remaining ortion thereof, adjustable bar having one end vibrating between said gontacts, and a stylus connected with said ar. a

2. A sound box comprising a vibratory diaphragm positioned intermediate the ends of the box :and having a part thereof substantially concavo-convex in contour, con tact points carried'by said diaphragm, a

ing between said contacts, and a stylus connected with said bar. 3. A sound box comprising a vibratory diaphragm positioned intermediate the ends of the box and having a part thereof substantially concavo convex in contour, adjustable contacts carried by said diaphragm, a stylus bar having one end vibrating between said contacts and embodying adoubled resilient section, and a stylus connected with said bar. 4. A sound box comprising a body ortion having an opening at one end, a vi ratory diaphragm positioned at a point intermediate ortion, adjustable contacts carried by the iaphragm, a coiled spring having one end fixed to one of said contacts, a stylus bar having its inner end vibrating between said contacts, and a stylus connected with said bar.

5. A sound box comprising a stylus head, a vibratory stylus bar'carried "thereby and stylus extending in the head, and a vibratory suspending device for said head.

6. A sound box comprising a stylus head, a vibratory stylus bar carried thereby and I embodying a doubled resilient sectlon, a!

stylus extending in the head, a vibratory suspending device for said head, and a regulatingdevice engaging in the stylus for securing-fit Within the head.

7. ,A sound box comprising a stylus head, i a vibratory stylus bar carried thereby and embodying a doubled resilient section, a l

stylus extending in the head, a vibratory suspending device for said head, a regulating device engaging in the stylus for securing it within the head, a vibratory diaphragm, and a pair of contacts carried thereby and getween which one end of the stylus bar virates.

8. A sound box comprising a stylus head, i

a vibratory stylus bar, carried thereb and embodying a doubled resilient sectlon, a stylus extending in the head, a vibratory suspending device for said head, a regulating device engaging in the stylus head and contacting with the stylus for securing it within the head, a vibratory diaphragm, and a pair of adjustable-contacts carried thereby and between which one end of the stylus bar vibrates.

9. A sound box comprising -a stylus head,

a resilient suspending device therefor, said device having angularly-disposed ends, a. fulcruming means for said suspending device at each end thereof, a stylus bar attached to the inner end of the head, and a stylus at tached to the outer end of the head.

10. A sound box comprising a stylus head, a resilient suspending device therefor, said device having angularly-disposed ends, a fulcruming means for said suspending device at'each end thereof, a stylus bar attached to the inner end of the head, a stylus attached to the outer end of the head, and a regulating means carried by the head and engaging the stylus 'forsecuring the latter within'the head.

1].. A sound box comprising a stylus head, a resilient suspending device therefor, said device having angularly-disposed ends, a

duplexfulcruming means for said suspending device, a stylus barattached to the inner end of the head and embodying a doubled resilient section, a stylus attached to the outer end of the head, and a regulating screw extending in the head and. having a curved pointed end engaging with the stylus for securing it in position.

12. A sound box comprising a stylus head,

device having angularlv-disposed ends, a duplex fulcruming means for said suspending device, a stylus bar attached to the inner end of the head and embodying a doubled resilient section, a stylus attached to the outer .end of the head, a regulating screw extending in the head and having a curved pointed end engaging with the stylus for securing it in position, and a cushioning means for said screw.

.13. A sound box comprising a stylus head, a duplex i'ulcrumed resilient suspending device for said head, a resilient abutment arranged in the head, a stylus bar secured to the innerportion of the head and engaging said abutment and having a doubled re- 'a. resilient suspending device therefor, said a silient inner section, a stylus mounted in the silientinner section, and a stylus mounted in the outer portion of the head and engaging said abutment.

14. A sound box comprising a stylus head, a duplex fulcrumed resilient suspending device for said head, a resilient abutment arranged in the head, a stylus bar secured to the inner portion of the head and engaging said abutment and having a doubled resilient inner section, a stvlus mounted in the outer portion of the head and engaging said abutment, and adjustable tensioning means for said suspending device.

15. A sound box comprising a stylus head, a duplex fulcrumed resilient suspending device for said head, a resilient abutment arranged in the head, a stylus bar secured to,

the inner portion of the head and engaging said abutment and having a doubled reouter portion of the head and engaging said abutment, adjustable tensioning means for said suspending device, and a regulating means carried by the head and engaging p a resilient suspending between whic with the stylus for retaining it in position.

16. A sound box com, rising a stylus head, device for said head said suspension device provided with an "angularly disposedends, .a fulcrum for each 30 of said ends, a resilient abutment arranged in the head, a stylus bar secured to the inner portion of the head and engaging said abutment, a stylus mounted in the outer portion of the'head and engaging said abutment, a vibratory dia hragm, and a air of contacts h the free end 0 said stylusbar vibrates.

17. A sound box comprising a stylushead,

a resilient suspending deuice for said head saidsuspensiondevice rovided with angularly disposed ends, a in cru m for each of said ends, a resilient abutment arranged in the head, a stylus bar secured to the inner portion of the head and engaging said abutment,

a stylus mounted in the outer portion of the head and engaging said abutment, adjustable tensioning means for said device, a vibratory diaphragm, and a pair of contacts between which the free end of said stylus bar vibrates.

18. A sound box comprising a stylus head,

-a resilient suspending device for said head 19. A sound box comprising a stylus head, a resilient suspending device for said head said suspension device provided with angularly disposed ends, a fulcrum for-each of said ends, a resilient abutment arranged in the. head, a stylus bar secured to the inner portion of the head and engaging said abutment, a stylus mounted in the outer portion of the head and engaging said abutment, a vibratory diaphragm, adjustable contacts carried thereby and betweenwhich ,the end of the stylus bar vibrates, and a coiled spring having one end fixed to one of said contacts.

20, A sound box comprising a stylus head, a resilient suspending device for said head said suspension device provided with angularly disposed ends, a fulcrum for each of said ends, a resilient abutment arranged in the head, a stylus bar secured to the inner portion of the head and engaging said abutment, a stylus'mi nnted in the outer portion of the head and engaging'said abutment, adjustable tensioning means for said sus end- ,mg device, a vibratory dia hragm, a justable contacts carried there y and between which the free end of the stylusbar" vibrates, and 'a coiled spring having one end fixed to one of said contacts.

21. A sound box comprising a stylus head, a resilient suspending deuice for said head said suspension de-riceprovided with angularly disposed ends, a fulcrum for each of said ends, a resilient abutment arranged in the head, a stylusbar secured to the inner portion of the head and engaging said abutment, a stylus mounted in the outer portion of the head and engaging said abutment, adjustable tensioning .means for said suspending device, a regulating means carried y the head and engaging with the stylus for retaining it in position, a vibratory diaphragm, adjustable contacts carried thereby and between which the free end of.the stylus bar vibrates, and a coiled spring having one end fixed to one, of said contacts. K

22. A- sound box comprising a stylus head,

a resilient suspending device for said head said suspension device provided with angularly disposed ends, a fulcrum for each of said ends, a resilient abutment arranged in the head, a stylus bar secured to the inner ment, a stylus mounted in the outer portion of the head andengaging said abutment, a vibratory diaphragm having a substantially. concavo-conx'ex portion, and a pair of contacts carried by the dia hragm and-between which the inner end 0 said stylus bar vibrates. I

,23. A sound box comprising a stylus head, a resilient suspending device for said head said suspension device provided-with anguportion of the head and engaging said abut-- larlv disposed ends, a fulcrum for each of said ends, a resilient abutment arranged in the head, a stylus bar secured to the inner said stylus bar vibrates.

portion of the head and engaging said abut-- ment, a stylus mounted in the outer portion of the head and engaging said abutment, adjustable tensioning means for said suspending device, .a vibratory diaphragm havmg a substantially concavo convex portion, and a pair of contacts carried by the diaphragm and between which the inner end of 24. A sound box comprising a stylus head,

a resilient suspending device for said head said suspension device provided with angulariy disposed ends, a fulcrum for each of sai ends, a resilient abutment arranged ,in the head, a stylus bar secured to the inner portion of the head and engaging said abutment, a stylus mounted in the outer portion of -the head and engaging said abutment, adjustable tensioning means for said suspending device, a regulating means carried y the head and engaging .with the stylus for retaining it in position, a vibratory diasubstantially concavo convex in contour, ad-

justable contacts carried thereby and between which the free end of the stylus bar vibrates, and acoiled spring having one end fixed to one of said contacts.

26. A sound box com rising a stylus head,

a resilient suspending evice for saidhead sai ends, a resilient abutment arranged in' said suspension device rovided with angularl disposed ends, a crum for each of the head, a st lus. bar secured to the inner portion of the end and engaging said abut-' ment, a stylus mounted in the outer portion of the head and engaging said abutment, adjustable tensioning means for said suspendmg device, a vibratory diaphragm having a part thereof substantially concave convex in contour, adjustable contacts carried thereby and between which the free end of the stylus bar vibrates, and a coiled spring having one end fixed to one of said contacts. v

27. A sound box comprising a-s'tylus head, a fulcrumed resilient suspending device for said head, a resilient abutment V in the head, a stylus-bar secured'to the inner portion of the head and engaging said abut-' ment andembodymgan inner doubled resihent section, a stylus mounted in the outer portion of'the head and engaging said abutends, a resilient abutment'arranged in having one end fixe ment, adjustable tensioning means for said suspendingdevice, a regulating means carrie by the head and engaging with the stylus for retai it' in position, a vibratory dia hragm having apart thereof substantial y concavo convex in contour, adjustable contacts carried thereby and .betweenwhich the free end of the stylus bar vibrates, and a coiled spring having one end fixed to one of said contacts 28. A sound box embodying a body portion formed of two sections one being domeshaped, a dia hragm fixed to one of said sections, a diap agm interposed between said sections and having a part thereof substantially concave convex m contour, said concave ofrtion of said diaphragm in cross section 0 greater length than the remaining portion of the diaphragm, a pair of contacts carried by said' ast mentioned diaphragm, a coiled spring having one end fixed to one of said contacts-and the other vibrating freely inside the dome shaped section of the box, :2 stylus bar vibrating between said contacts and having aninner end capable of being tensioned, a head connected to one end of the stylus bar, a stylus mounted within said head, a regulating means for securing the 29. A sound'box embodying a body portion formed of two sections, a diaphragm fixed to one-of said sections, a diaphragm mstylus in position, and a vibratory suspend ing device for the stylus head.

terposedbetween said sections and having a part thereof substantially concavo convex in contour, a pair of contacts carried by said last mentioned diaghragm, a. coiled spring to one of said contacts, a stylus barembodying a doubled resilient inner section vibrating between said contacts, a head connected to one end of the stylus bar, a stylus mounted within said head, a regulating means forsecuring the stylus in position, and a fulcrumed and vibratory suspending device for said head.

30. A sound box embodying a bod portion formed of two sections, a diap ragm fixed to one of said sections, a diaphragm mterposed between said sections and having a part thereof substantially concavo convex in contour, a pair of contacts carried by said last mentioned diaphragm, a coiled spring having one end fixed to one of said contacts 'astylus bar embodying a doubled resilient inner section vibratin between said contacts, 'a head connecte to outer end of the stylus bar, a stylus mounted said head, a regulating means for securing the stylus in position, a fulcrumed and vibratory suspending device for said head, and adjustable tensioning means for said suspending device. T

L 31. A sound box comprising a stylus head, a vibratory suspending device therefor, said device consisting of arectangular strip of tion formed of two' sections, a stylus head, a vibratory suspensmn device therefor, said device embodying a strip of resilient material having its ends angularly disposed and tightly drawn, said device further embodying a fulcruming means for said strip and means for adnstably securing the strip to. the body portion of the box, a diaphragm interposed between the said sections and having a portion thereof substantially concavo convex in contour, a pair of contacts carried by said last mentioned diaphragm, an actuating coil spring positioned within one of the sections of the box, one end of said spring fixed to one of said contacts and the ot rer end vibrating freely, and a stylus bar having a doubled resilient inner end capable of being placed under tension and vibrating between said contacts.

33. A sound box comprising a stylus head, a pair of contacts, a stylus carried by said head, a stylus bar secured to the head and having a'resilient inner end capable of being placed under tension, said resilient end vibrating .between said contacts.

34. A sound box comprising a stylus head, a pair of contacts, a stylus carried by said head, a stylus bar secured to the head and having aresilient inner end capable of being laced under tension, said resilient end vi rating between said contacts, one of said contacts constituting means for'var'ying the tension of the resilient end of the stylus bar, thereby regulating the sounds produced by the b0 35. A sound box comprising a stylus head carrying a stylus, a stylus bar formed of a rigid and a resilient section, said rigid section provided with meanswhereby it can be secured to the stylus head, said resilient section capable of having its tension varied, and a air of contacts associating with the re sihent'section of the stylus bar. 7

36. A sound box comprising a stylus head, a stylus carried thereby, a stylus bar embodying a rigid and a resilient section, said resilient section formed of two flat spring members capable of being placed under tension,and a contact associating with each of said members, one of said contacts being adjustable, whereby the tension of said members can be varied thereby regulating the sound produced by the box.

37. A sound box comprising a st lus head and vibrator suspending device .t erefor, a stylus carrie by the head, a stylus bar having a resilient inner end capable of being placed under tension, means whereby the outer end of the stylus bar can be connected to the stylus head, a pair of contacts associating with the resilient inner end of the stglus bar, one of said contacts adjustable w ereby the tension of the inner end of said stylus bar can be varied thereby regulating the sound produced by the box.

' 38. A sound box embodying a stylus bar consisting of a "rigid and a resilient section, said resilient section formed of a pair of flat spring members having one end fixed to the rigid section, said members capable of being placed under varying degrees of tension.

39. Asound box embodying a stylus bar consisting of a rigid and a resilient section, said resilient section formed of a pair of fiat spring members having one end fixed to the rigid section, said members capable of being placed under varying degrees of tension, combined with a stylus carried by said head and a pair of contacts associating with said members, one of said contacts being adjustable whereby the tension of said members can be varied and the sound produced regulated.

40. A sound box comprising a vibratory diaphragm positioned intermediate the ends of the box and having a part thereof substantially coricavo convex in contour, a socket forming member positioned at one side of the diaphragm, an adjustable contact extending through the diaphragm and projecting into the socket formed by said member, an actuating coiled spring fixed to one end of said contact, a contact mounted in said member and extending in the socket, a stylus head, a stylus carried thereby, and a stylus bar comrising a fixed and a resilient section. said xed section secured to the stylus head and said resilient section ca able of being placed under tension, saidfresi ient section oscillating between said contacts, said adjustable 105 contact providing means whereby thetens1 on of sand resilient section can be varied and the sounds re reduced regulated.

In testimony w iereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing wit- 110 nesses.

WILLIAM H; MARTIN.

. Witnesses: v

M. J. DUeeAN. A. L. MINYARD. 

